Paup, Cunningham also victims of salary cap moves

In a long-anticipated move, the Cowboys cut Sanders on Friday and avoided the $23.5 million the cornerback would have been guaranteed had he been on their roster another day.

''Because of salary-cap reasons, we just can't afford to keep him under his current contract,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.

In another cap-related moves, the Minnesota Vikings cut Randall Cunningham, who quarterbacked them to a 15-1 record and a berth in the NFC title game two years ago.

Linebacker Bryce Paup, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 1995 when he was with Buffalo, was released by Jacksonville.

Miami released guard Kevin Donnalley, clearing more than $2 million. Donnalley, who was due to make $4.05 million next year, could re-sign with Miami for far less. Indianapolis cut defensive lineman Tony McCoy, an eight-year veteran.

And fullback Charles Way of the New York Giants retired at age 27 because of chronic knee problems, opening the way for New York to sign Sam Gash, cut by Buffalo because of cap concerns.

The next stop for Sanders, 32, could be in Washington with the Redskins, the NFC East champions a year ago and one of the Cowboys' biggest rivals. Under new owner Dan Snyder, the Redskins have shown a propensity to sign name players.

''Certainly, it's been talked about a great deal and we'll see what happens over the next week,'' Redskins coach Norv Turner said Friday. ''He's a talented, talented player.''

Vinny Cerrato, Washington's director of player personnel, planned to talk with Sanders' agent, Eugene Parker, over the weekend. Sanders, an 11-year NFL veteran, is reportedly looking for a multiyear contract with a signing bonus of at least $8 million.

Cerrato wouldn't say how much the Redskins, who have already signed several prominent free agents, are willing to pay for Sanders.

''We'll set a structure and framework for what we are willing to do and see if that works,'' Cerrato said. ''We are not going to be stupid. We are going to do what we feel comfortable doing and what fits within the structure of our team.''

When Sanders arrived in Dallas at the start of the 1995 season, his five-year, $35 million contract was the richest in free-agent history.

Last year, Sanders signed a five-year, $51.5 million contract. But the Cowboys decided not to exercise their option on the remaining four years of the deal.

In addition to Washington, Denver and Tampa Bay have expressed interest in Sanders.

''From what I understand there are a few other teams that are interested ... probably teams that you know and usually a darkhorse will come in,'' Cerrato said. ''I'm sure there will be competition.''

Though it seems very unlikely, Jones hasn't ruled out the possibility of keeping Sanders in Dallas with a restructured contract.

Sanders, who played in four Pro Bowls during his five seasons in Dallas and the Super Bowl his first year, will still count $2.2 million against the Cowboys' salary cap this year, and $3.2 million against the 2001 cap.

Dallas has already prepared for his departure, selecting three cornerbacks in the April draft, signing free agent Ryan McNeil and re-signing Kevin Smith.